New Zealand Student Visa Process
Your step-by-step guide to the New Zealand student visa application: procedures, timelines, fees, and interview preparation.
Complete Guide to New Zealand Student Visa Process
Most international students use the Fee Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand (INZ). You need it to study in New Zealand for more than 3 months.
You apply online, on the INZ website called Immigration Online, with an offer of place, proof that tuition is paid and proof of money to live on. If INZ approves, you get an eVisa, which is an electronic visa with no sticker in your passport.
Understanding the New Zealand Student Visa
Know the visa types, eligibility criteria, and application timeline
Fee Paying Student Visa
For students who pay international fees themselves, or with help from family, a loan or a partial scholarship.
• Study full-time on an approved course
• Work up to 25 hours a week while classes run, if your visa allows. Full-time in scheduled holidays only if your course meets the rules.
• You can leave and come back to New Zealand until your visa ends.
Pathway Student Visa
For students who study up to 3 courses one after the other, with one offer of place that covers all of them. You need money for fees and living costs.
• Up to 3 courses, one after the other
Important
To qualify for a New Zealand student visa, you must meet these requirements:
Offer of place
From an approved school or university that follows the Code. The Code is the government's rules for how schools must care for international students.
Tuition paid
Fees paid for your whole course. If the course is longer than 1 year, fees paid for 1 year.
Money to live on
Money for your living costs. Someone else can pay it for you if they follow the rules.
Health and good character
A chest X-ray and police certificate when the rules ask for them.
Insurance
Most students: medical and travel insurance from the start of your course until your visa ends. PhD students do not need insurance for the visa.
The timing of your visa application is crucial for a smooth process.
New Students
Apply at least 3 months before you plan to travel. INZ is busiest from October to March each year.
Continuing Students
Apply for your next visa before your visa ends. Include your marks, your class attendance records or a letter from your school.
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New Zealand Student Visa Application Process
A sequential guide to applying for your student visa
- 1
Step 1: Get an offer of place
Apply to a New Zealand university or other approved school first.
Key points:
- Your school or university must be approved and must follow the Code.
- The offer names the course, its length and whether it is full-time.
Do what your offer asks, then send INZ the final offer.
- 2
Step 2: Prove your money
Show you can pay fees and living costs.
Key points:
- NZD 20,000 for each year of study. NZD 1,667 for each month if your course is shorter than 1 year.
- Tuition paid for your whole course, or for 1 year if the course is longer.
- Money for a ticket home, extra to your living money.
Bank statements must show the account holder's name and the last 3 months of transactions.
- 3
Step 3: Health and character documents
Get the checks the rules ask for.
Key points:
- Chest X-ray, if the rules ask for it (see the fees section).
- Police certificate if you are 17 or older and stay 24 months or longer.
A police certificate must be less than 6 months old when you apply.
- 4
Step 4: Apply online and pay
All student visa applications go through Immigration Online.
Key points:
- Log in to Immigration Online or make an account.
- Upload your documents and pay. The fee starts at NZD 850.
Type your name exactly as it is in your passport.
- 5
Step 5: Wait for the decision
Wait while INZ looks at your application.
Key points:
- Some decisions take longer than 7 weeks.
- It does not speed up late applications.
INZ may ask for more documents. Reply quickly.
- 6
Step 6: A first yes, if INZ gives one
INZ may say yes to your visa before you pay tuition. This is called approval in principle (AIP).
Key points:
- If you applied from outside New Zealand, you may pay tuition after this letter.
- Then send the tuition receipt and any missing documents.
INZ tells you in your AIP letter if you must use the Funds Transfer Scheme (FTS). You then move your study and living money into an FTS savings account at ANZ or BNZ in New Zealand. When you arrive, visit the bank to switch the accounts on.
- 7
Step 7: Get your eVisa
INZ emails you an eVisa.
Key points:
- Your visa has a start date.
- If you are outside New Zealand, you may only arrive on or after your visa start date.
Print your eVisa letter and carry it when you fly.
INZ checks the offer letter carefully.
Key Information Included:
- The name of your course
- How long it lasts
- Full-time or part-time
- Holiday dates, if your course is longer than 1 school year
Important
You apply for the student visa online.
Application Process:
- Log in to your account, or set one up.
- Upload your documents.
- Pay the fee.
- Check your status in the same account.
Tip
Required Documents Checklist
Prepare all necessary documents for your visa application
Organize these documents well before your visa appointment. Keep originals and make copies of important documents.
Passport scan
A clear scan of the page with your photo and details. Your passport must not run out for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave New Zealand.
Offer of place
From an approved school or university. It names the course, how long it lasts and whether it is full-time.
Proof of tuition
A receipt or letter from your school or university. It shows you paid the fee for your whole course, or for 1 year if the course is longer.
Proof of living money
NZD 20,000 for each year of study. If your course is shorter than 1 year, NZD 1,667 for each month. Someone can pay it for you, if they follow the rules.
Ticket out of New Zealand
A ticket, or proof you have money to buy one. This money is extra to your living money.
Photo
1 passport-style photo that meets the INZ photo rules.
These additional documents can strengthen your visa application:
Academic Documents
• English test result: You do not have to send an English test result, such as IELTS or TOEFL. But it can help show you will study.
Financial Documents
• Bank statements: With the account holder's name and the last 3 months of transactions.
• Education loan: Send the letter from the bank that says it will give you the loan, and a plan to pay the loan back.
• Financial Undertaking for a Student (INZ 1014): Use it only if another person pays for you, with their own money. A person who sponsors you must be a New Zealand citizen or resident, and a family member or friend.
Personal Documents
• Police certificate: If you are 17 or older and will stay 24 months or more. It must be less than 6 months old.
• Chest X-ray: If you stay 6 months or more and come from a country such as India or Pakistan.
Additional Documents
• Certified translations: For police and medical documents not in English.
• South Asia: who can pay for you: Citizens of India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal or Bhutan applying from any of those countries: only immediate family can sponsor you or sign a financial undertaking (a promise to pay). Immediate family means your partner, parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents and parents-in-law.
Your photo is a vital part of your visa application. Make sure it meets these specifications:
Check the INZ photo rules for size and look before you upload.
Pro Tip: Document Organization
Type your name and details exactly as they are in your passport. A mistake can delay your visa or lead to a refusal.
Understanding Visa Fees
Complete breakdown of all costs associated with the New Zealand student visa application
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fee Paying Student Visa (for students who pay their own fees) | Starts at NZD 850 |
| Medical checks, if INZ asks | The price is different at each clinic. Ask when you book. |
Additional Potential Expenses:
English translations
Police and medical documents that are not in English need a certified English translation (a copy made by an approved translator). You pay the translator. INZ does not translate for you.
Chest X-ray
You need a chest X-ray if you stay 6 months or more and your country is not on INZ's list of countries with little TB (a lung illness). India and Pakistan are not on that list. Ask the clinic for the price.
Police certificate
Needed if you are 17 or older and will stay in New Zealand for 24 months or more. It must be less than 6 months old. Ask the police office for the price.
Ticket home
You also need a ticket out of New Zealand, or money to buy one. This money is extra. Do not count it as part of your living money.
Visa fee
Available payment methods:
- Paid on the INZ website, called Immigration Online, when you send your application
If you pay in a currency other than NZD, the amount may change a little with exchange rates.
Refund Policy
No refund if your application is declined.
Important
Visa Fee FAQs
Visa Timelines & Application Tracking
Understand processing times and how to track your New Zealand student visa application
Get your offer of place
Apply to your university first. You can apply for the visa with a conditional offer (an offer with something still missing).
Gather your documents
Passport scan, photo, offer, tuition proof, money proof and a ticket or money for one.
Apply online and pay
Starts at NZD 850
Upload your documents and pay on Immigration Online.
Health and police checks
INZ tells you after you apply if you need a chest X-ray or medical check. Medical and X-ray results must be less than 3 months old. A police certificate must be less than 6 months old.
Decision
8 in 10 within 7 weeks
If approved, INZ gives you an eVisa and emails you a copy.
Important
Online Tracking System
You can see the status of your application in your online account.
- Log in to your Immigration Online account.
- Open your application to see its status.
- INZ emails you when it makes a decision.
Send a complete application
Include every paper INZ asks for. Missing documents slow things down.
Clear documents, not many documents
Send documents that are easy to read. INZ wants proof it can check, not a big pile.
Answer quickly
INZ tells you if it needs more information. Reply as quickly as you can.
Patience is Key
Helpful Resources & Official Links
Access official resources and additional guidance for your New Zealand student visa application
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